Sustainable synthesis of silver nanoparticles on cotton gauze for enhanced antibacterial properties

Wound protection is a critical step in preventing or reducing infections, as well as in preventing the transmission of infections between patients. Wound dressings are essential medical products that cover wounds and facilitate healing. The present study examines the possibility of using Ag nanoparticles (NPs) to impart antibacterial activity to cotton gauze, a commonly used disposable wound dressing material. The in situ synthesis of Ag-based NPs on cotton gauze was achieved using extracts from Populus x euramericana (PE) and Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle (AA) leaves. Major phytochemical compounds in the extracts were quantified using HPLC. FESEM and EDS mapping analyses confirmed the presence of Ag-based NPs across the fibre surfaces of both samples. The average size of NPs synthesized in the presence of PE and AA extracts was 88?26 and 82?23 nm, respectively. A comparable amount of silver was found in the sample obtained with PE (14.22?0.23 ?mol/g) and in the sample synthesized using AA extract (13.63?1.40 ?mol/g). The synthesized samples achieved maximum bacterial reduction against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.